MINNESOTA COMPUTERS STOLEN IN WINONA Article DetailStolen laptops raise questions for police, WSU
Fifty stolen this year

By Andrea Northam
Between May 2004 and May 2005, fifty laptop computers were stolen in Winona, said Deputy Chief of Police Tom Williams. The laptops were taken from areas all over the city, including on-campus and off-campus locations, said Williams. “The thefts have been sporadic, and we haven’t been able to pinpoint a target area,” he said.

According to Don Walski, Director of Security at WSU, the fifty stolen laptops represent a “very, very small” percentage of the close to 8,000 student computers in the area. Stolen laptops on and off campus are reported to Walski and the technical support department. Walski, a former police officer, then compiles a basic police report and transfers a copy to the Winona Police Department.

Not all the stolen computers have been laptops leased from Winona State University, but the fact that WSU is a laptop university could play into the growing number of computer thefts, said Williams. “People know the students have laptops: either with them or at home,” he said. “When entering a residence in the campus area, the chances are good you’ll find a laptop inside.”

However, Williams does not believe that the large number of computer thefts necessarily indicates that criminals are preying on college students. “What it all boils down to is security measures,” Williams explained. “We’re seeing no sign of forced entry. A large majority of laptops were taken from residences where the doors were left unlocked.”

Of the fifty stolen laptops, only one has been recovered, according to Williams. Because the laptops are not appearing in local pawn shops, Williams suspects that thieves are finding independent buyers for the computers.

“Computers are easily traceable by their serial numbers,” he continued. “When a laptop is stolen, the make, model and serial number are entered into NCIC, the national crime computer. Even if the computer ends up in Florida, a police officer will be able to discover that it was reported stolen in Minnesota.”

Walski echoed Williams’ concern that students are simply not being cautious enough. “If the students did everything we tell them to do, these thefts would not be happening,” he said.

Walski pointed out that simply locking the door to an apartment or dorm room makes a huge difference. In ten years, there has been only one instance of forced entry on the WSU campus, he reported. The computers being stolen are from rooms that are unlocked and easily entered.

While it is clear that students need to be aware of their surroundings and safeguard their valuables, it is not clear if all reported thefts of WSU-leased laptops are indeed thefts. Williams admitted the possibility that students could be trying to “beat the system” by reporting a leased computer stolen, paying the deductible and receiving a brand new computer.

“We haven’t gotten the true story of how the system works, but it’s always a possibility that students could see themselves as better off paying the deductible, receiving a brand new computer and getting two computers for the price of one,” he said.

Tess Kruger, Vice President for University Affairs at WSU, explained that the laptop lease agreement requires that, in the event of a theft, a student comply with the police, file a report and do everything possible to recover the stolen property. There is a five hundred dollar deductible to be paid by the student, and the student will receive a new laptop, said Kruger.

According to Kruger, the five hundred dollar deductible might not be enough to deter someone from falsely reporting a computer stolen. However, giving false information to a police officer and filing a false police report are “grave offenses,” she said.

While Walski maintained his confidence in the honesty of WSU students, he explained that there is “always potential for a student to be dishonest,” citing a handful of cases in which students were either proven to have falsely reported a computer stolen or in which there was a high probability that the student had falsely reported a computer stolen.

In these instances, the individuals are charged with filing a false police report, which is a misdemeanor but can be considered a felony, depending on the circumstances, said Walski. “The students will also be disciplined by the university,” he said.

Kruger also does not doubt the honesty of WSU students, but she admitted that the laptop policy needs to be reanalyzed. “Sharing risk of loss is always something you have to look at and analyze,” Kruger said. “You need to find the appropriate balance so both parties share responsibility in the care of the item.”

The fact that many computers are stolen in situations that are easily avoidable, such as leaving the computer unattended or in an unlocked residence, could lead to a future revision of the policy that holds students to a greater level of responsibility.

However, it is a fine line to walk, Kruger said. The policy must not be too burdensome, because that could have a negative impact on the laptop program, she said. Additionally, the university does not wish to punish “conscientious” students who have tried their best to keep their computers safe.

“When the laptop goes, so does all the student’s work,” Kruger said. “Maybe five hundred dollars isn’t that much, but for a student who has loaded his life onto that computer, the loss of information is at the very least a major inconvenience.”

Would-be computer thieves might think twice if they realized they were being closely monitored by the university’s high tech camera system, Walski said. Evidence from the digital camera system, which surveils campus buildings and common areas, has been used in the past to apprehend criminals, he said.

However, the best protection for a student’s laptop is the student himself, said Walski. “All it takes is a minute,” he reminded. “Be aware of your surroundings, keep your computer with you and lock your doors.”

In the coming months, the police department would like to work more closely with WSU Security to advertise safeguarding measures to students, according to Williams.